New Berlin utility committee recommends council approve MMSD I&I funding and multiple water contracts

The New Berlin Utility Committee on Jan. 28 recommended the Common Council approve a Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) funding agreement and several professional and construction contracts to investigate and repair the city’s water and sewer infrastructure.

The committee voted, by voice, to advance a $338,400 MMSD funding agreement for private-property infiltration and inflow (I&I) work and to advance contracts for dye testing, leak detection, a lift-station repair contract and design work for a Green Ridge water-main replacement. Staff told the committee the MMSD money is reimbursable under the city’s agreement with MMSD.

Why it matters: Committee members said the work is intended to reduce I&I and the number of main-line breaks. Staff said the next targeted area is the city’s northeast section, where older clay pipe and recent directional boring have increased risk of cracked lines.

Key approvals and details

- MMSD funding agreement (UT01-25): The committee recommended approval of a funding agreement with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District for private-property I&I work, not to exceed $338,400. A staff member said, “All that money gets reimbursed through our agreement with MMSD.” The funding is described by staff as reimbursable; the committee took a voice vote to recommend approval to the Common Council.

- Dye-testing consulting contract with R.A. Smith (UT02-25): The committee recommended a professional-services contract with R.A. Smith for private-property dye testing and investigation in the amount of $82,000, with a 10 percent contingency of $8,200 for a total of $90,200. Staff said R.A. Smith will identify specific streets and areas for targeted work; construction contracts would be bid later if investigation identifies work to be done.

- Leak-detection survey with Westrom (UT03-25): The committee recommended approval of a leak-detection survey contract with Westrom Leak Detection. Staff described the service as a periodic (roughly every three to five years) correlation of mains to find small leaks before they become breaks. Transcript figures were inconsistent: one figure listed $11,950 (contract amount) and another linelisted $11,050 as total project cost; staff confirmed the survey covers mains accessible from public roads and that some mains in wooded areas are not reachable by the equipment.

- David Lift Station construction award (UT04-25): The committee recommended awarding the construction contract for the David Lift Station to Sable Mechanical LLC for $68,270, with a 10 percent contingency of $6,828, for a total not to exceed $75,107. Staff said the item was rebid after a single, high summer bid; the rebid produced four bids and a more competitive price.

- Green Ridge water-main professional services (UT05-25): The committee recommended approval of a professional-services agreement with CBS Squared (listed in the staff report as CBS/"CVS" Squared in the transcript) for design, surveying and engineering of the Green Ridge water-main replacement for $148,700. Staff said surveying could start in March and that construction is anticipated to fit into the city’s five-year plan, with staff currently targeting 2026 for construction.

- Old business: Gas easement with We Energies: The committee recommended the Common Council approve a gas-service easement agreement with We Energies for the Kelton Tower, which staff said was part of an ongoing lease amendment and had been revised and approved by the city attorney.

Discussion and next steps

Committee members asked staff to provide more specific streets and line information for the dye-testing work; staff agreed to provide a more detailed target-area map to the committee before bids are solicited. Staff confirmed residents in targeted areas receive advance notification and door-hanger notices for construction-related activity.

At the end of the meeting staff reported on winter main-breaks: Milwaukee reported more than 100 breaks in January, some smaller municipalities reported 20–30, and New Berlin reported one break in the period discussed. Staff credited last year’s relining projects for improved pipe performance in areas where relining was completed.

Votes at a glance (committee recommendation to Common Council)

- UT01-25: MMSD private-property I&I funding agreement, not to exceed $338,400 — recommended approval (voice vote; tally not specified). - UT02-25: Professional-services contract with R.A. Smith (dye testing), $82,000 + $8,200 contingency = $90,200 — recommended approval (voice vote; tally not specified). - UT03-25: Leak-detection survey with Westrom Leak Detection, contract amount reported $11,950 (transcript also listed $11,050 as total) — recommended approval (voice vote; tally not specified). - UT04-25: Construction contract for David Lift Station to Sable Mechanical LLC, $68,270 + $6,828 contingency = $75,107 — recommended approval (voice vote; tally not specified). - UT05-25: Professional-services agreement with CBS Squared for Green Ridge water-main design, $148,700 — recommended approval (voice vote; tally not specified). - Old business: Gas services easement with We Energies for Kelton Tower — recommended approval (voice vote; tally not specified).

What the committee did not decide

All items were recommended to the Common Council; none were final Common Council approvals. Staff said further detailed targeting, bidding and construction scheduling remain to be done and that some work is contingent on later contractor bids and coordination with the city’s five-year paving plan.

Sources: New Berlin Utility Committee meeting transcript, Jan. 28, 2025.